Author Archives: Kenny Slaught

On the other hand, central Santa Barbara allows tourists to see how the architecture at that time was conceived. The design of buildings, and details showing the relation each building had with the historical concept of those times is also helpful when looking at the Hispanic architecture. A roof design, for instance, has a colonial style that can also be observed in colonial cities such as Cartagena, Mompox or San Juan in Puerto Rico. Santa Barbara has maintained its commitment to the architectural preservation. New laws were put in place to eliminate any disrupting effect of new constructions on the harmony of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. New constructions, especially in El Pueblo Viejo, must follow strict city regulations to maintain the historic architecture. When in Santa Barbara, Kenny Slaught suggests recognizing the efforts that the city has made to contribute to the preservation of the unique architecture, even if this does not perform the American style constructed in the area as a result of the British presence in the area that considerably influenced the way how local architecture has evolved.

The Spanish Colonial Revival architecture movement developed in the early 20th century. The movement used Spanish Colonial architecture for designing areas that were first Spanish colonies and then they became American cities. Much of this architectural style can be found throughout California. After an earthquake occurred in 1925, Santa Barbara took over this style as its signature line for re-building the city.The movement was founded by architect George Washington Smith who came to Montecito and popularized this movement.The history of El Pueblo Viejo aesthetic control came from Roman and Parisian laws. It aims to preserve history with the Hispanic architecture. But many wonder What is the Hispanic Architecture about? This style stems from architecture of the “white-washed cities” of Andalusia in Southern Spain. In Santa Barbara, vernacular buildings are the co-relation born from the response of the natural environment and the locally available materials. Kenny Slaught notes that Hispanic architectural features in this area are in large part characterized by the “simplicity, rustic economy, excellence in craftsmanship and honest expression of material”. Forms founded in Santa Barbara convey vernacular handmade quality oriented to the sunlight. Additionally, colors are related to natural environment, yellow, red, orange and white that dominates Santa Barbara’s weather.

Some of the most legendary Santa Barbara architecture includes the centuries old Hotel Virginia, El Pueblo Viejo district in historic downtown and the two pink towers of the Old Mission, housing retreats and festivals. Kenny Slaught has explained that the brightly colored tiles of the County Courthouse shows off brilliant murals and other striking attributes, and nearby the clock tower and observation deck allow for a panoramic view of the town. The Lobero theatre not only houses the regions premier performing arts events but also dates back to 1873 and was rebuilt in the 1920’s by George Washington Smith. The celebrated past of Santa Barbara shows the founder’s advanced planning: many antique, architecturally sound buildings line the city streets.

Almost 100 years back, celebrated architect George Washington Smith kicked off the California movement, the Spanish Colonial revival. Smith dropped out of Harvard and eventually worked as a bond trader. Once Smith became a recognized worker, he moved to Santa Barbara anticipating a relaxing lifestyle with which to work on his painting interests. However, he was taken aback when he learned that everyone loved the house he had designed, prompting him to continue creating architectural gems for the city. He only used the best materials from Spain and merged new and old world styles, and today Smith’s works are desired for their simplistic beauty and complex design. He is a founding father in the city of Santa Barbara, as many generations of architects followed his artistic pathway. Kenny Slaught celebrates the keen eye and attention to detail needed to create works of such artistic excellence.

The Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation in 2015 supported the Girls Rock Santa Barbara initiative. Knowing that music is a way to empower young women, Kenny Slaught supports this organization’s mission to create a supportive environment that fosters the development of self-confidence and creativity in youth. As part of the program, girls receive music lessons, engage in activities, and perform live. They are encouraged to counter typical gender stereotypes, collaborate amongst themselves, and learn tolerance. Girls Rock Santa Barbara perfectly represents the Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation’s emphasis on keeping music and the arts accessible to all.

Many families turn to the hospice for their counseling and support services, discusses Kenny Slaught. The hospice offers individual, group, and family counseling regularly and free of charge. These counseling sessions handle a variety of death-related issues and emphasize the many angles of emotional, psychological, and spiritual health that are important to individuals processing grief. For those unable to come to the center, the hospice holds counseling sessions at several other safe zones throughout the community. Research shows that participation in counseling sessions early in the grief process can immensely reduce the risk of unresolved grief appearing years down the road. In addition, studies have found that counselors who specialize death and suffering-related issues are more effective at helping individuals experiencing a traumatic loss than general mental health practitioners.

Other factors affecting the current situation are particularly Californian in nature and are the result of a general scarcity of land in desirable locations. Undeveloped land is priced prohibitively high, especially within the Los Angeles and San Francisco metropolitan areas. Kenny Slaught notes regular setbacks in construction of new projects, resulting in many owners choosing to stay put and renovate, as Proposition 13, the 1978 amendment to the state’s constitution, makes relocating a daunting choice. Though the law caps future property tax increases at 2% based on 1975 assessments, an exorbitant exception takes place when a sale happens and a property is reassessed based on its current value. Ultimately, yearly totals are framed by purchase figures that vary monthly, as real estate demand in California shifts seasonally with most homes moved in June and a small increase in sales at year’s end. Also having an affect on yearly totals are asking prices, interest rates, consumer confidence, negative equity status, quantity and quality of homebuyer jobs, disposable income, saving rates, and elements such major foreign investments.

New intuitive software and mobile applications, says the owner of one of the most successful property management enterprise in Santa Barbara, give investors and builders a greater selection of lending and borrowing opportunities across a variety of real estate asset classes and geographies. California’s crowdfunding or peer-to-peer lending projects emerged after the adoption of the Jumpstart Our Business Startup (JOBS) Act in 2012, which significantly democratized the ways, in which sponsors raise funds for real estate acquisitions and development. The new regulation allowed the previously banned practice of advertising or openly soliciting private funding from accredited individuals and firms. Anyone with a net worth of $1,000,000, excluding ownership of their personal residences, or with an annual income of $200,000 or a household with $300,000 per annum, if filed jointly with a spouse, can become an accredited investor. The amendments gave the green light to individual borrowers and lenders to participate in debt and equity financing, where loans generate income in the form of interest, without an official financial institution involved as an intermediary. The online marketplace has created a new avenue for property owners and funders to browse new investment offerings, perform due diligence, access dashboards to track how assets and financial products are performing.

The wall of the dam contains an engines room appointed with 17 generators creating the energy. 16 of them are large generators while two smaller ones operate as a single generator, used to give hydroelectric energy to surrounding communities. Kenny Slaught notes that the power generated from the dam is allocated across 15 areas. Among the biggest power consumers, Southern California uses up to 28% of Hoover Dam’s power, followed by the State of Nevada with 23% and the State of Arizona at 18% of consumption volume. The dam also provides power to Native American tribes stationed in the area. Additionally, 90% of Las Vegas’ water is from the Hoover Dam. Inside the dam is called Lake Mead. At its highest water volume, it could be the largest water reservoir anywhere in the United States. Currently, the Hoover Dam is under the control of the United States Bureau of Reclamation and it is known as one of the country’s most breathtaking must-go places to visit.

The economy-boosting structure was built during the American Great Depression period, between 1931 and 1936, costing the government $49 million dollars. The dam was initially named Boulder Dam, but was later switched to Hoover Dam in honor of the then-President Herbert Hoover, who made significant contributions to the construction of this prodigious project. With 221 meters in height, 379 meters in width, and more than 35.000 cubic kilometers of total capacity, the dam could top 4,2 billion kWh2 annually, explains Kenny Slaught.